“Any luck?” Sib asked, even though the frustrated expression on Richard’s face should’ve been answer enough.

“Already gone when I arrived. Wasted too much time after the fight was over. But I didn’t think she’d leave immediately, just like that. Shit. Not only that strange weapon enchant but also those potions...”

“So you’re truly convinced? About her using potions, I mean.”

“Has to be; as unlikely as it sounds. It’s the only explanation I can come up with, and I’m sure I saw her swallow something at some point. In terms of timing, it just fit. But only one way to find out, so… did the boy say something?”

Sib shook her head.

“Still hasn’t come to yet. But I still learned something. According to his friends, before leaving, that girl told them that in the evening he should come to a place called Milly’s if he wants his badge back. Ring a bell for you?”

“Milly’s? No,” Richard denied after just a short moment of thought, but looked visibly relieved doing so. “But should be easy enough to find.”

---

“Why are we leaving already?” Timothy complained. “I was just about to have some fun myself.”

“Because I’m not interested in all these guys surrounding and challenging me.”

The [Chaos Mage] didn’t believe his ears. ”What do you mean!? Wasn’t being challenged the whole reason for us going? And now, after you had your share, you back out? What’s up with that?!”

“Well, I didn’t know it would end like this! And none of the sparring rings are available for us, anyway. Not unless you want to wager your badge as well.”

“I’m sure someone would’ve happily made some room for the winner of one of the featured fights! For whatever reason, you were quite popular.”

“It’s a hassle, and I’m tired! Besides. It’s not like I’m preventing you from staying.”

“Yeah, riiiight.” Timothy rolled his eyes at the girl, “so now what? What’s you plan? You better not want to return straight away.”

To Severin, the fight hadn’t been all that spectacular. It wasn’t too different from what he was used to. The main difference was probably that this time around Miriam actually emerged victorious.

In his mind, the premises weren’t especially impressive either. Too crowded, too stuffy; certainly not worth the entrance fee.

Nor did he have any real opportunity to advertise or sell the limited amount of goods he carried.

Therefore, while surprised by her decision, he didn’t mind when Miriam, right after he congratulated her on her win, decided it was time for them to leave.

As the third wheel in this group, he was aware it wasn’t up to him to decide otherwise anyway and mostly kept his quiet.

Yet now that the question regarding their next destination was brought up, Severin was ready to interject and suggest one of the places he had wanted to visit; if they declined and couldn’t come up with a different suggestion, he could still decide whether to split up or not.

As it turned out, there was no need for him to butt in.

“I thought this was a good time to do some shopping,” Miriam said before turning her attention to Severin, catching him slightly off-guard, adding, “your stuff is great and all that-the fight would’ve certainly ended differently without it- but I really wish at some point you will start selling some actual equipment. These melee-vs-melee fights are rough on my gear, you know? I feel like I need a replacement for my cloak,” she said while pointing at her now haggard pelt. ”And maybe some boots as well.”

“Don’t be an idiot! At least wait until after the Games are concluded. Right now, with so many adventurers around, prices are bound to be inflated. You should know this as well as I do. Actually, you should know that even better than me, considering that…”

“Haha, don’t you worry about that. In fact, if you are nice, I might even consider treating you.”

While still talking, Miriam stretched out her right arm, opened her palm and made a large stack of differently colored coins appeared on top of it.

But only for a moment, making the tower of coins disappear again right as it was about to collapse onto itself and scatter on the ground.

“Where did you get all these from!?” the surprised boy asked her almost accusingly. Instead of taking offence from his tone, the girl seemed rather pleased by this reaction, even though she tried to appear as matter-of-factly as possible when she explained,

“I bet on myself. The odds were quite in my favor. Or not. Depending how you look at it, I guess.”

“When did you… No, wait. More importantly! That’s the whole reason, huh? That’s why you wanted to leave in the first place? Well, fine! But don’t be stingy, you hear. If I had known, I would’ve bet as well. Should’ve said something!”

“Ooh? So you would have bet on me as well? Didn’t know you had this much confidence in me,” Miriam teased.

Snort

“Don’t be so full of yourself. With all those enhancements, there was hardly a chance for you to lose. Besides, he just didn’t look all that strong to me, anyway. Though that might’ve just had something to do with his class. As you know, my win rate against [Bers…”

“Careful, now!”

While feeling a strong sense of déjà vu, Severin followed wordlessly as the two bickering youths made their way towards the part of the shopping district that was mostly frequented by adventurers and other classbearers.